I ran away to Montana for college when I was 17 and have been traveling all over ever since. I have worked in Alaska, Vermont, Montana and Wyoming, lived in Italy and backpacked through Scandinavia. While in college, I traveled all over the American West with my Siberian husky, Deke...
I base out of Montana now, but travel a lot...

I have an architecture degree but I can't sit in front of a computer very long, so
I run my own design-build company wherever I happen to be living. I can build anything from kitchens to foosball tables and everything in between...

My bluegrass country band is on hiatus now to see the world. Our reunion tour is in the works.
I love my life, my dog and being self employed and wouldn't trade this life for anything...

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

This spring, I decided that I wasn't ready to settle down yet, so I started planning and scheming for a life on the road. I built myself a teardrop camper to live out of for the summer while I worked jobs in Montana, South Dakota, Vermont and Florida. Then, I am headed to Australia and New Zealand in October with a one way ticket. Unfortunately, my dog is hanging in the states...
I joined Couchsurfing for when I head over seas, but I think it will be useful no matter where I am.

Interests

I like to make stuff. I have the tools to make everything from auto modifications to kitchen renovations.

My band, the Backwoods Dreamers is taking a break to travel the world, but I still love singing and playing guitar, classic country troubadour style...
I have spent quite a bit of time in small town honky tonk bars. My bandmates taught me western swing dancing and I love it. I can also teach it quite well.
And, living in Montana requires a love for the outdoors, so I pack in all the activities; mountain biking, skiing, hiking, canyoneering, etc
I spend a lot of time in the woods.

• dogs
• singing
• architecture
• design
• graphic design
• photography
• dancing
• swing dancing
• cooking
• running
• traveling
• billiards
• woodworking
• guitar
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• hiking
• camping
• skiing
• teaching

Music, Movies, and Books

Ryan Bingham, Jason Isbell, Josh Ritter, John Prine, Steve Earle
Mostly Americana and traditional country, but I admit I still throw some pop country and classic rock in the mix sometimes

I kinda gave up movies when I hit the road, but I have always been a huge Star Wars fan.

I am an avid reader of every kind of book. Some favorites include
Illusions by Richard Bach
Friday Night Lights HG Bissinger
The Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson
Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold
Rivethead by Ben Hamper

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Over the years I have gone on many adventures, both good and bad, but the coolest thing I have done is apply for and win the Woods Prize, a scholarship to go abroad and study a particular style of architecture.
I spent a couple months touring Norway with my brother researching and documenting the stavkirkes (Stave Churches) which are the oldest wooden buildings of their size in the world. Built from 900-1400 AD, they pre-date metal fasteners so they are a testament to traditional wood joinery.
By traveling the backroads, chatting with locals and poking around, we were able to get inside places usually closed to the public and take pictures where photography is quite rare.
It culminated in a gallery exhibit upon my return to Montana, where I reconstructed many of the most exquisite joinery work and shared drawings and photographs from the journey.
The trip taught me that traveling and vacation don't just have to be an escape and lounge, but can also be a great way to learn and then share what I have seen. And Norway is one of the most amazing countries in the world.

Teach, Learn, Share

When I am done with my travels, I would like to be a woodworking teacher, so I have a natural tendency to share knowledge and skills, whether people want to hear them or not.
I can teach anything from woodworking to guitar, swing dancing to cooking.

Also, I am an accomplished handyman and can resolve plumbing, electrical, construction issues of many kinds. Not as good at auto mechanics, but decent.

And I can swap adventure stories for days.

What I Can Share with Hosts

A guitar and voice. I love to sing and play
I have a not-quite photographic memory, so I have over 500 songs in my repertoire and can always learn more after hearing them a couple times.

I have traveled a lot, especially in the states and often in very remote untraveled areas and have lots of secret spots to check out.

Also being from Vermont, I always bring homemade maple syrup with me...

I can dance, cook, clean, do graphic design, shoot pool, etc. I like to be helpful, so help me help you.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Italy, United States